Chicken nuggets
Dino Buddies Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets Breaded Chicken Breast with rib meat
5 lb
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 60
Dino Buddies Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets Breaded Chicken Breast with rib meat scores 60 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source): Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. Regulatory
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial protein. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better chicken nuggets and tenders
-
Organic Grilled Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Whole Foods Market · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Chicken Breast Tenderloins Trader Joe's · 40 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Organic Chicken Wing Sections Trader Joe's · 32 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Chicken Breast Fillets Just Bare · 112 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Drumsticks Just Bare · 112 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets Breaded Chicken Breast with rib meat
Ingredients
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Wheat gluten minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Canola oil minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2 g / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 224 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Protein 11.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 40 = 60
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 224 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 11.8 g |
| Salt | 0.9 g |
Serving: 4 nuggets (76 g)
Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat
- water
- wheat flour
- yellow corn flour
- salt
- wheat gluten
- spices
- yeast extract
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- extractives of paprika
- natural flavor
- leavening (cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate) (not recognized)
- chicken broth
- chicken fat
- chicken flavor
- vinegar
- chicken stock
- carrot powder
- celery powder
- onion juice concentrate
- carrot juice concentrate
- celery juice concentrate (moderate concern)
- canola oil
- flaxseed
- natural flavor
- rosemary extract
Label text, as published
boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat, water, wheat flour, contains 2% or less of the following: yellow corn flour, salt, wheat gluten, spices, yeast extract, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, extractives of paprika, natural flavor, leavening (cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate), chicken broth, chicken fat, chicken flavor, vinegar, chicken stock, carrot powder, celery powder, onion juice concentrate, carrot juice concentrate, celery juice concentrate, canola oil, flaxseed, natural flavor, rosemary extract
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten, Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More chicken nuggets on GoodSwap
-
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Kirkland · 64 oz High in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Chicken Nuggets Impossible · 13.5 oz (383 g) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Just Bare · 64 oz (4 lb) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 53 out of 100 Okay -
Crispy Chicken Breast Strips Tyson · 25 oz Ultra-processedContains seed oils Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Chicken Nuggets Applegate Naturals · 16 oz Contains added sugarsContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 68 out of 100 Good -
Baked Chicken Breast Nuggets Tyson · 25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 24 out of 100 Poor
Sources
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Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
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“the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org